IN YOUR OPINION

Letters to the Editor for Sept. 7, 2013

Published: Saturday, September 7, 2013 at 6:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, September 5, 2013 at 11:22 p.m.

Unnecessary wars

Many political leaders in America believe that it is our responsibility to attack Syria because their leader used poison gas on his own people. President Bashar Assad must have felt that it was necessary to prove to the world that a strong leader could do anything in his power to improve his position in the world, right or wrong.

Russia is supporting this ruthless leader of Syria with military weapons and warships that would attack all that interfere with Assad. The support from Russia and China makes it impossible for the United Nations to act in the defense of the people of Syria.

Why is it America's responsibility to be the sole protector of the world by imposing our will on any country that commits atrocities against its own people? We have been involved in many wars that were none of our business and not in our country's best interest. This may sound cold-hearted, but we can't control the world, nor its leaders.

Think back and try to come up with a legitimate reason to protect America's interest that we invaded North Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. None of these wars was necessary. Every president that involved our country in these wars did so for political reasons, only to show that they were strong leaders.

The last legitimate war that America was involved in was World War II, after we were attacked first.

Please, Mr. President, remain strong, and try to influence our Congress that we should not start World War III.

Jerry Segovis

Ocala

United we thrive

In the letter “United or divided” (Sept. 2), the writer erroneously accused President Obama of promoting derisive dogma, specifically regarding the March on Washington, in that there were no conservatives on the program.

The fact is that months prior, all the members of Congress were invited to attend. Weeks before the event, various people were invited to speak. Included in this group were George H.W. Bush (who did send his condolences for not being able to attend due to illness, and a well-phrased support ),Jeb Bush, John Boehner, Eric Cantor, J.C. Watts, John McCain, Tom Scott and Mike Huckabee.

As to those pushing divisiveness in our country, look no further than the tea party and the people they support. People are losing faith in and respect for our elected officials because we are constantly bombarded by the vile statements made by those on the far right against anyone who doesn't toe their dogma. They have even driven from the Republican Party those who seek common ground to resolve the many problems that now are being ignored.

Enough of the bashing of those with whom we disagree. Our strength as a country, evidenced by our Founding Fathers agreeing to our Constitution after extensive debate, is that the well-being of our country is paramount, and to this end we work together to solve our problems.

Alfred Strobel

The Villages

Blame where it belongs

American debacles in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan have been the result of weak or gutless presidential decisions, take your pick.

MacArthur had Korea won until Truman whimped out over the “China fear.” Later, MacArthur advised Kennedy to stay out of Vietnam. Johnson and McNamara died with over 58,000 vets on their conscience.

George H.W. Bush and Gen. Powell failed to take out Saddam Hussein at a cost of over a million lives by the time the second Iraqi “conflict” was over. Clinton had bin Laden in his sights several times in Afghanistan.

If you can stand the truth, read the book “Dereliction Of Duty,” written by the military officer who followed Clinton with the black suitcase, and “Saddam's Secrets” by Iraqi air force Gen. Jorge Sada to find out about the real WMDs and how the chemical weapons got into Syria.

The world and the U.S. refuse to comprehend that rogue and dictatorial nations are unable to separate governing from religion and human rights. Before acting, Obama let Assad disburse the chemicals and hide everything else, probably underground and in schools and hospitals.

Pretty sad decision-making.

John R. Butt

Ocala

Rotten to the Core

Common Core State Standards, the federal mandate being forced into our schools, is doing nothing but allowing the government to take one more constitutional right away from the states and making sure our children do not grow up to be independent thinkers who strive in adulthood. It is not acceptable to allow third-party companies to profit off our children.

As parents we have to question everything that happens in our schools, and not just accept it because it's from the government. They can't be wrong, right?

We have to pay more attention to what we are signing when our kids bring home papers. And teach your kids that it is OK to question authority when they feel something is truly not right.

Even with my children, I encourage them to ask why. “Because I said so” or “because I am an adult” is not a valid reason for a child to blindly follow instructions.

Lowering the standards to make schools look better is not acceptable. Allowing our children to do math incorrectly as long as they show how they got the answer is only going to hurt the child in the long run, especially in college where they expect real math with real right answers.

Please call/write your congressman, and tell him to repeal Common Core. It is no good for our children!

<p><b>Unnecessary wars</b></p><p>Many political leaders in America believe that it is our responsibility to attack Syria because their leader used poison gas on his own people. President Bashar Assad must have felt that it was necessary to prove to the world that a strong leader could do anything in his power to improve his position in the world, right or wrong.</p><p>Russia is supporting this ruthless leader of Syria with military weapons and warships that would attack all that interfere with Assad. The support from Russia and China makes it impossible for the United Nations to act in the defense of the people of Syria.</p><p>Why is it America's responsibility to be the sole protector of the world by imposing our will on any country that commits atrocities against its own people? We have been involved in many wars that were none of our business and not in our country's best interest. This may sound cold-hearted, but we can't control the world, nor its leaders.</p><p>Think back and try to come up with a legitimate reason to protect America's interest that we invaded North Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. None of these wars was necessary. Every president that involved our country in these wars did so for political reasons, only to show that they were strong leaders.</p><p>The last legitimate war that America was involved in was World War II, after we were attacked first.</p><p>Please, Mr. President, remain strong, and try to influence our Congress that we should not start World War III.</p><p><i>Jerry Segovis</p><p>Ocala</i></p><p><b>United we thrive</b></p><p>In the letter “United or divided” (Sept. 2), the writer erroneously accused President Obama of promoting derisive dogma, specifically regarding the March on Washington, in that there were no conservatives on the program.</p><p>The fact is that months prior, all the members of Congress were invited to attend. Weeks before the event, various people were invited to speak. Included in this group were George H.W. Bush (who did send his condolences for not being able to attend due to illness, and a well-phrased support ),Jeb Bush, John Boehner, Eric Cantor, J.C. Watts, John McCain, Tom Scott and Mike Huckabee.</p><p>As to those pushing divisiveness in our country, look no further than the tea party and the people they support. People are losing faith in and respect for our elected officials because we are constantly bombarded by the vile statements made by those on the far right against anyone who doesn't toe their dogma. They have even driven from the Republican Party those who seek common ground to resolve the many problems that now are being ignored.</p><p>Enough of the bashing of those with whom we disagree. Our strength as a country, evidenced by our Founding Fathers agreeing to our Constitution after extensive debate, is that the well-being of our country is paramount, and to this end we work together to solve our problems.</p><p><i>Alfred Strobel</p><p>The Villages</i></p><p><b>Blame where it belongs</b></p><p>American debacles in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan have been the result of weak or gutless presidential decisions, take your pick.</p><p>MacArthur had Korea won until Truman whimped out over the “China fear.” Later, MacArthur advised Kennedy to stay out of Vietnam. Johnson and McNamara died with over 58,000 vets on their conscience.</p><p>George H.W. Bush and Gen. Powell failed to take out Saddam Hussein at a cost of over a million lives by the time the second Iraqi “conflict” was over. Clinton had bin Laden in his sights several times in Afghanistan.</p><p>If you can stand the truth, read the book “Dereliction Of Duty,” written by the military officer who followed Clinton with the black suitcase, and “Saddam's Secrets” by Iraqi air force Gen. Jorge Sada to find out about the real WMDs and how the chemical weapons got into Syria.</p><p>The world and the U.S. refuse to comprehend that rogue and dictatorial nations are unable to separate governing from religion and human rights. Before acting, Obama let Assad disburse the chemicals and hide everything else, probably underground and in schools and hospitals.</p><p>Pretty sad decision-making.</p><p><I>John R. Butt</p><p>Ocala</i></p><p><b>Rotten to the Core</b></p><p>Common Core State Standards, the federal mandate being forced into our schools, is doing nothing but allowing the government to take one more constitutional right away from the states and making sure our children do not grow up to be independent thinkers who strive in adulthood. It is not acceptable to allow third-party companies to profit off our children.</p><p>As parents we have to question everything that happens in our schools, and not just accept it because it's from the government. They can't be wrong, right? </p><p>We have to pay more attention to what we are signing when our kids bring home papers. And teach your kids that it is OK to question authority when they feel something is truly not right. </p><p>Even with my children, I encourage them to ask why. “Because I said so” or “because I am an adult” is not a valid reason for a child to blindly follow instructions.</p><p>Lowering the standards to make schools look better is not acceptable. Allowing our children to do math incorrectly as long as they show how they got the answer is only going to hurt the child in the long run, especially in college where they expect real math with real right answers.</p><p>Please call/write your congressman, and tell him to repeal Common Core. It is no good for our children!</p><p><i>Cynthia Dorman</p><p>Ocala</i></p>